Egypt v Zimbabwe preview
Egypt start their pursuit of a record-extending eighth Africa Cup of Nations title after they face Zimbabwe in Group B’s opening fixture at Adrar Stadium on Monday.
Hossam Hassan’s facet arrive as one of many pre-tournament favourites, whereas Zimbabwe head into the competitors beneath new management following the appointment of Mario Marinica.
Since lifting their seventh AFCON trophy in Luanda in 2010, Egypt have repeatedly come near including to their unparalleled haul however have fallen quick on the last hurdle.
The Pharaohs had been crushed finalists in each 2017 and 2021, dropping to Cameroon and Senegal respectively, regardless of taking the lead within the former and surviving an early scare from the penalty spot within the latter.
Now beneath the steering of three-time AFCON winner Hassan, Egypt as soon as once more shoulder the expectations that include being the continent’s most profitable nation, significantly with the match going down in North Africa.
A lot of the concentration is going to fall on Mohamed Salah, who’s contesting his fifth AFCON and third as captain, conscious that this version might symbolize his last alternative to say continental glory along with his nation.
The Liverpool ahead was a part of the squads that reached the finals in 2017 and 2021 and might be wanting to lastly get his fingers on the trophy and cement his legacy in African soccer.
Nevertheless, Egypt should guard towards complacency towards a Zimbabwe facet present process change following Marinica’s current arrival.
The Warriors’ managerial change might inject recent concepts, nevertheless it might additionally expose inexperience at match stage, with this being simply their sixth AFCON look.
Egypt v Zimbabwe crew information
Trezeguet outscored Salah throughout qualifying, netting 4 occasions, and the winger is predicted to play a distinguished function within the last third.
Hassan should resolve between Omar Marmoush and Mostafa Mohamed to guide the road, with the latter having a formidable AFCON pedigree after scoring 4 objectives on the earlier match.
Veteran goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy is ready to function, with the 37-year-old probably contesting his last Africa Cup of Nations after a profession that has included a number of continental titles at membership stage with Al Ahly.
Zimbabwe are with out Walter Musona, who scored twice in qualifying, however captain Information Musona is included and is predicted to function prominently.
The skilled ahead, who has 26 worldwide objectives, ought to begin alongside Marvelous Nakamba in midfield, with Prince Dube and Tawanda Chirewa providing attacking help.
Egypt v Zimbabwe predicted lineups
Egypt beginning XI: El Shenawy; Hany, Rabia, Ibrahim, Hamdi; Fathy, Ateya, Zizo; Salah, Mohamed, Trezeguet
Zimbabwe beginning XI: Chipezeze; Murwira, Garananga, Hadebe, Lunga; Nakamba, Fabisch, Musona; Chirewa, Dube, Maswanhise
The right way to watch Egypt v Zimbabwe: TV channel, reside on-line stream
Kick-off on Monday is at 20:00 GMT (15:00 ET / 12:00 PT). Within the UK, reside AFCON 2025 protection is on Channel 4. Within the USA, beIN Sports activities is the match broadcaster.
On-line reside streaming is obtainable on an enormous vary of units by way of Channel 4’s web site and app and the beIN Sports activities app.
Egypt v Zimbabwe stats
- Egypt are seven-time Africa Cup of Nations winners.
- Egypt have reached two AFCON finals since 2017
- Mohamed Salah is showing at his fifth AFCON match
- Zimbabwe have gained three matches throughout all AFCON appearances
- Two of Zimbabwe’s six qualifying objectives got here from penalties
- Zimbabwe have saved three clear sheets in AFCON 2025 qualifying
